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USC Women's Tennis Falls to NC State in Round of 16

May 16, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla.—The No. 35 ranked USC women's tennis team fell 4-1 in the Round of 16 today (May 16) to No. 6 NC State in Orlando, Fla. at the USTA National Campus. The Trojans conclude the season with a 13-11 overall record. 
 
USC, ranked at No. 35 in the nation, had the lowest ITA ranking of a team that has played in the Round of 16 since 2004 (Arizona State was ranked No. 44). 
 
The morning began with doubles and the Wolfpack struck first. NC State's No. 12 Smith/Rogers defeated USC's Cayetano/Kulikov 6-1 on court one. Shortly thereafter, the Wolfpack duo of No. 5 Daniel/Reami beat the Trojan tandem of Ewing/McKee 6-1 on court two to nab the doubles point. NC State held a 1-0 lead entering singles. 
 
The Wolfpack continued to make moves in sigles as No. 82 Abigail Rencheli defeated USC redshirt senior Constance Branstine 6-1, 6-3 on court five. 
 
The Trojans continued to put up a fight. Junior No. 42 Salma Ewing upset NC State's No. 6 Anna Rogers 6-4, 6-2 in an important match on court one to make the overall match score 1-2. 
 
After losing their respective first sets, USC junior Danielle Willson and redshirt senior Summer Dvorak won their second sets to extend USC's life in the match. 
 
After a close battle, Dvorak fell the NC State's Jaeda Daniel 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 on court four. Finally, Danielle Willson's match came to a close as she lost 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to Wolfpack member Adriana Reami on court three.
 
"NC State obviously played really well, particularly in the doubles," said head coach Alison Swain. "They came out on fire and played some of their best. I thought our team pushed back really hard in singles. We played really determined tennis and really smart tennis; we played to our strengths. I'm really proud of the fight our team put out there. Dani (Willson) and Summer (Dvorak) getting into third sets, and Salma (Ewing) closing out her match, and the other girls really staying on court. I thought we played great singles."
 
The USC women's tennis team was the only team in the Round of 16 to have an all-female coaching staff.
 
"Personally that means a lot to me," said Swain. "Representation is hugely important. Having such skilled, knowledgeable and excellent coaching staff and having it be all-female is a great example for all the women out here competing and for all the women who excel at their sport and hope to go into coaching in the future."
 
The Trojans now look forward to NCAA Individuals in Orlando, Fla. at the USTA National Campus from May 23-28. Junior Salma Ewing will participate in the Singles Tournament as she chases after an individual national title. 

NC State 4, USC 1
May 16, 2021 – USTA National Campus | Orlando, Fla.  
Doubles 

  1.  #12 Smith/Rogers (NCSU) def. Cayetano/Kulikov (USC) – 6-1
  2. #5 Daniel/Reami (NCSU) def. Ewing/McKee (USC) – 6-1
  3. Dvorak/Willson (USC) vs. #42 Rencheli/Rajecki (UF) – 2-3 susp.

Order of Finish: 1, 2
NC State wins the doubles point
Singles 

  1. #42 Salma Ewing (USC) def. #6 Anna Rogers (NCSU) – 6-4, 6-2
  2. #98 Eryn Cayetano (USC) vs. #23 Alana Smith (NCSU) – 7-6 (5), 5-4 susp.
  3. Adriana Reami (NCSU) def. Danielle Willson (USC) –6-1, 4-6, 6-3*
  4. Jaeda Daniel (NCSU) def. Summer Dvorak (USC) –  6-1, 2-6, 6-1
  5. #82 Abigail Rencheli (NCSU) def. Constance Branstine (USC) – 6-1, 6-3
  6. Clare McKee (USC) vs. Lexi Keberle (NCSU) – 4-6, 7-5 susp.

Order of Finish: 5, 1, 4, 3*